carolina girl

Try getting some of your liquids from sugar free popsicles. I found out that it's much easier to get liquids in very slowly in the beginning. Don't worry too much over getting all your protein in the first couple of days- but make sure you do stay hydrated.

Today is actually my one week mark from surgery. I haven't gotten on the scales yet!!!! I said I wasn't going to get on the scale until I go back to the Dr. next Thursday. So... next Friday I will be ready for feel good Friday !!! Congrats to everyone here on being such big "losers"!

Wow... must be nice!! I want to have your NUT! My NUT says no food of any kind, only liquids and protein drinks that fall into the "less than 3gms" rule for two weeks, then pureed foods and protein drinks the third and fourth week and those pureed foods must be high protein foods; pureed meat, beans, eggs. I have noticed on here that every Dr./NUT has a different recommendation. A girl at work had the same surgery and her Dr/NUT only recommended 50 to 70gms of protein a day ,while mine says 90 to 100 gms. We were about the same weight and height so I'm trying to figure out why the big difference in our numbers. Whatever your NUT recommends just go with it. I wish you the best of luck in this crazy journey we're on!

I was just getting ready to ask a similar question. I was sleeved on the 29th of July and ever since my surgery my sense of smell has been multiplied x's 10!! It's not only my personal body odors, but everyone that I come in close contact with. If someone has had Italian food for lunch, I can smell 50 cloves of garlic. My birds cage never smelled to me before but now YUCK!!! Everything tastes different, protein drinks that I liked before surgery, I can't tolerate any more. I keep the worst taste in my mouth all the time. Any tips for the breath issue? I brush, floss and use Listerine and it comes right back in a few hours.

I'm sure it tastes great, but... it's got 44gms of sugar in a 12 oz serving along with 48gms of carbs. My doctor says "no no no" to protein drinks with more than 3gms of sugar and 3gms of carbs. This is the kind of protein drink meant for hard core athletes who would burn off the sugar and carbs in a normal workout, not so much for us trying to lose pounds, we've got to stay away from these.

Every good story starts like this "Well, you see, what had happened was... If only weight loss and gain,and loss and gain, and ..well you get it, was such an easy story to tell! So for me what happened was life. You see, I'm a southern girl. To say that food is a big part of my life is an understatement. I consider myself an eastern North Carolina BBQ expert! I have driven across the state of North Carolina charting my course around the best BBQ restaurants in the state more than once! My mother could out-cook Paula Deen any day (now that's the truth!) My grandmothers probably created every recipe in the Southern Living cookbook collection! Genetically, I am pre-programed to cook (and eat) all that is delicious!!! When we have a pot luck at work everyone wants to know what I made- It's guaranteed to be good. Did I mention I make custom cakes "on the side"? People love my cooking! It's been a blessing and a curse all my life. I wasn't overweight in high school,but the potential was there! Like most women my weight gain began after having kids. I gained 75 pounds with baby #1, lost most of it fairly easily (I was only 20). Baby #2, I was more careful with that pregnancy, I exercised regularly and only gained 18 lbs! Lost my best friend to breast cancer a year later and ate my weight in "friendship bread" (a delicious cake for those who aren't familiar with friendship bread, make sure you NEVER eat it!!) over the next few months - From September to January I had gained 60 pounds!!! I woke up one morning (literally) and looked at myself in the mirror and didn't know it was me. I was actually startled when I saw myself that day. I decided I had to do something, so I just started walking. Everyday I walked at least a mile or two, slowly I began to jog and then run. I lost 65 pounds over the next year. I ate nothing white- no sugar, no white flour, white pasta, white rice, white bread. If it was white or prepackaged I didn't touch it. I lived like this for about 4 years. If I would slip off my program, I would quickly catch myself and get back on track. I exercised daily , sometimes twice a day. No cake at birthday parties, no splurging during the holiday's, I stayed on a tight leash. At my smallest I was still overweight by 15-20 pounds. I was happy enough with my fitness level, my size and weight but I had to follow my program to a "T". If I slipped I could gain 5 pounds overnight. I got pregnant with baby #3 at 29 years old. I gained too much weight (60 lbs), and it was so much harder to lose than it was when I had my first two babies. I had so much pain in my feet I could hardly walk some days. Found out I had plantar fasciitis in both feet- OUCH! I needed to exercise, but my feet hurt so bad I couldn't, so I didn't. I slowly began slipping back into bad eating habits. For me sugar is the devil, so are carbs- love that white stuff!! Once I start I can't quit, it's like crack! lol!! I didn't want to go back "there" again so I once again tried to get back on track.I took almost a year. I went back to my program, started exercising again. I was feeling great again. I went through a few changes in my career over the next few years, finally going to work for the government in 2008. I was excited about the new job, but had no idea how much different sitting a desk would be. I had never worked a desk job before. Over the last three years my weight has steadily increased. I have gained over 50 lbs. in the last 3 years. I was already overweight when I started there, I've tried to control it but it has gotten so far out of control it's not even funny. In the last three years I have: begun taking two blood pressure pills daily, sleeping pills for my insomnia, prilosec for my reflux, naproxen for my other aches and pains and I can't tie my shoes with out cutting of my oxygen supply! I have to stop in between flights of stairs, I am chapped and chaffed in places I shouldn't be, even my rolls now have rolls. I've taken diet pills, every fad diet there is, spent hundreds (maybe thousands) on pills, supplements, exercise equipment and DVD workouts. Well, I just can't do it anymore. I can't wake up at 4 am, dirve the van for the van pool, work all day for some arrogant SOB, make dinner for my family when I get home at 5pm. Clean up ,check homework, take care of a house and give my husband and my kids the attention they deserve. Food has become my comfort,even though it is the cause of my misery. I'm sick of having no energy, no drive and no interest. I am tired of being tired and I want to be myself again. I have set a terrible example for my sons and I've finally decided that enough is enough! So.....on July 29th (just 12 days from today!) I am having VSG! I know it will be hard , but it will be worth it to have my life back. Some people won't understand, some will think I took the easy way out, some may even be jealous. i just don't have time to care about what anyone may think about my decision. Either they will support me or they wont. Please, wish me luck as I do the rest of you. I need all the support I can get, especially at those family gatherings with my own "Paula" and her fabulous meals! I think her feelings are gonna' be hurt when I can't eat her cookin' any more! She'll just have to get over it now won't she?

Congrats Danielle86, celebrate every single pound!

the vitamin shoppe carrys it. I usually buy it online at amazon.com. most of the vendors on there have free shipping for orders over 25.00. Nectar usually runs about 33.00 for the large containers.

I was sleeved on the same day and while I have had plenty of gas, I haven't had too much pain from it. I have tried to walk as much as possible to help with the gas. What I do have a problem with is figuring out how to get all my protein and liquids in. The protein shakes I used pre-op now taste horrible to me. I feel like I am going to throw up every time I smell the protein. It seems that day 5 must be magical, everyone says day 5 things get better. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for day 5! I just hope it brings me relief.

You are right about one thing cinderall123, this is a huge step. I won't lie to you the last two days have been kinda rough, but if you read this bulletin board over and over again people say the same thing- despite the rough days, they would do this again every day. I am looking forward to the next phase myself. Best wishes to you in your journey. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hey Yall, I just wanted to let everyone know I did get sleeved yesterday and everything went well. I am home and of course very uncomfortable, but not in any real pain. I had a rather large hiatal hernia that had to be repaired as well. Dr said I've probably had it for years. The hardest part has been trying to take deep breaths- boy does that hurt! Also trying to learn how to drink is a challenge, it"s probably going to take a while to get this drinking thing down!

I will find one to do!!! I find my self reading your story and I feel like I'm right there beside you. I can just picture myself doing all this again one day! I'm going to start swimming after my two week recovery period is up. I haven't been in a pool in a long time and I think it will be a good place to start exercising again. I have been walking about three days a week for the last month or so. I will continue that too until I can start working up to a walk/jog and then walk/jog/run. I don't even own a bike but I have asked for one for my birthday (October) so maybe I can get something to get me started on. I get sleeved this Friday July 29th, wish me luck! Thanks again for sharing, can't wait to hear about your next adventure!

So..... nobody gets sleeved tomorrow?? Look out on the 29th though, there's a bunch of us on that day: peppercma daviso AutumnBlueCarmen phardin carolina girl xplorurself I hope everyone is ready. I know I am! I have tried not to dwell on it too much, but I haven't slept for a couple of nights now. This is so typical of me, I get stressed and instead of falling over from exhaustion, I can't seem to close my eyes! Blessings to all of my sleeve sisters and brother!

All I can say is.......Get it Girl! You look strong and SEXY mamma!

Welcome Nikki1974, Congrats on being sleeved! I'm guessing that your surgery went off without a hitch since you spent only one and a half days in the hospital. Hope you are doing well. I live about three hours away from the Raleigh-Durham area but anywhere in Carolina is home to me! I haven't been sleeved yet (only one more day till surgery) but I look forward to keeping up with the July Sleevers on here so we can share experiences and information as we are all going through this at the same time!

Sending prayers out for you this morning Papa Jack! Happy "New" Birthday to you!

Just a follow up... I went to my pre-op appt today and took ole' "Paula Deen" (AKA mom) with me. I guess she decided she needed to know what her one and only was really getting herself into with this surgery thing. I told her, first and foremost, that she had to behave at all times, which I'm happy to report that she did! I was relieved that she finally took some interest in understanding why I have come to this decision and what it involves. My husband still thinks I could do this on my own, and while I appreciate his vote of confidence, I know that he's just full of bologna! He knows I need this, he just has never fought with his weight and can't wrap his head around why I can't "just quit eating". But that's OK, I am a grown woman, and besides the good lord above, I don't have to justify my decisions to anyone. I thought that I would leave my appointment today with some hint of fear, some small doubt, something that would make me re-think this and ask myself "Is this REALLY what I want to do?". Instead I left with the confirmation that this is the right decision for me, right now. Why wouldn't I do this now, before my health gets worse, before I gain any more weight, before I have to take anymore pills? Why wouldn't I want to take control of my health now? We only get one go around in this world- I want mine to be full to the brim. I don't want to turn into a crippled up old lady who can wipe her own fanny (I know you know what I'm talking about,lol) I want to LIVE what little bit of life I'm blessed with to the fullest! So off I go to the hospital Friday morning- gotta be there at 5:30 am! So glad I'm the first surgery of the day..... wish me luck!

I don't know if you have an herbal pharmacy near you, but there are several essential oils that are great for headache. No swallowing involved- just rub a little on your temples and it really does help. "Head- On" is usually available in most drug stores- does the same thing. Of course this is if your doctor says no oral meds. I know my headaches come from caffeine withdrawal, I've been trying to ween my self off caffeine for a few weeks now!

Hang in there Sugarmamma! Three days is a short time to have to suffer through it. It will be over before you know it and you will be on your way to the new improved you! I'm right there behind you- I start my 3 day on Tuesday! I'm sure the "curse" is making it extra hard, poor thing! I always feel like crap then any way.

Nectar Syntrax products are zero carb and offer several different flavors. I personally like twisted cherry, choc truffle and strawberry kiwi. They dissolve easily, even when mixed in my blender bottle with water.

Welcome! I think most of us have the same concerns as you do, I just remind myself that there is no side affect of this surgery that could be any worse than the slow death that we guarantee ourselves with continued obesity. I get sleeved next Friday, my approval came quickly, so I feel like I'm diving in head first ! It still seems surreal. Everyone hear on the BB is great, full of information and encouragement. It will quickly become your "go-to" source for any question you have. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Texas Gal, I too am being sleeved on the 29th too. I'm sending you a friend request on here so we can keep in touch. Don't worry too much- If I could get back all the time I've spent worrying about things that never happened, I could probably add years to my life!

That is awesome news! So happy for you- before you know it you'll be saying "my weight starts with 17!" Can't wait to join you!

Congrats CaliforniaJenn! Best of luck tomorrow! :bananajump: